

Cori Close’s tenure as the head coach of UCLA Women’s Basketball has not only elevated the program’s status but also her own financial standing. Appointed on April 21, 2011, Close has built a solid record of 260 wins to 133 losses, showcasing her ability to lead this competitive team. Her coaching prowess was seen last season, where she guided the Bruins to a remarkable 27-win season, tying for the third-most victories in the program’s history.
Success brings reward, and Close’s compensation package is a reflection of her influence on the sport. Her contract details have already made headlines as one of the highest-paid coaches in women’s basketball and it has continued to be a topic of interest. Though UCLA has yet to disclose some details, available records shed light on her salary, bonuses and the overall impact of her hire on the program.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
What is Cori Close’s contract with the UCLA Bruins? How long is the deal?
Cori Close has been UCLA’s head coach since 2011 and has built the program into a national contender. UCLA does not disclose many contract details, but public records show she would earn $774,722 for the 2023–24 season and rank among the highest-paid women’s basketball coaches. She is also entitled to performance-based bonuses of up to $170,000.
While UCLA didn’t reveal the exact length of her most recent contract, Close’s sustained success makes her a marquee name in women’s college basketball. With her at the helm, the Bruins go on to earn a Big Ten Tournament title and a No. 1 overall seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, showing once again McMahon’s value.
How much will Cori Close earn in the 2024-25 NCAA season?
Close’s earnings are still among the highest in women’s basketball, with her base salary and performance incentives commensurate with the program’s high expectations. As women’s basketball gains in mainstream visibility, salaries for elite coaches seem poised to climb.
While Close is financially compensated, her contributions to UCLA go far beyond paychecks to the players and have become a huge part of her legacy in the sport as she continues to develop some of the most elite players while keeping the program successful.
What’s your perspective on:
Is Cori Close the unsung hero of women's college basketball, despite earning less than top NCAA coaches?
Have an interesting take?
What was Cori Close’s previous contract with the UCLA Bruins?
Close first signed a five-year deal, expiring in 2016, before agreeing to an extension in 2013 that ran through 2018. UCLA has extended her contract repeatedly since, but the most recent terms have not been made public. The teams she has built into perennial deep-postseason contenders have kept her ranks among the top-earning coaches in women’s basketball.

via Imago
NCAA, College League, USA Womens Basketball: Baylor at UCLA Jan 20, 2025 Newark, New Jersey, USA UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Close reacts to a play against the Baylor Lady Bears during the first half at Prudential Center. Newark Prudential Center New Jersey USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xChrisxJonesx 20250120_cec_qr0_151
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
What is Cori Close’s net worth in 2025?
Close’s estimated worth is about $10 million, mostly from time at UCLA. Though no verified details exist on other income streams like endorsements, her impact on the sport is undeniable.
Close remains one of the most respected people in women’s college basketball, with the continued success of UCLA and several WNBA draft picks emerging on her watch. With the increased commercial appeal of the sport, coaching salaries and the totality earnings are expected to follow suit.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
With Cori Close at the helm, UCLA has become a powerful program, and her salary reflects her influence on it. Though the particulars of her deal are not public, she has proven her worth on the court and in marketing off of it and solidified her place as arguably the best coach in women’s hoops. And with the sport’s popularity booming, her influence and income will likely continue to increase.
How would you describe Cori Close’s influence on UCLA and women’s basketball? Let us know your thoughts in the comments and keep checking back here for further updates on NCAA coaching contracts and salaries!
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Is Cori Close the unsung hero of women's college basketball, despite earning less than top NCAA coaches?